Australian girl An Ran came to China to study after graduating from the University of Queensland to study ancient Chinese literature. When she graduated from her master's degree this year, Anxin Ran wore Hanfu and praised the beauty of Hanfu in fluent Chinese. This video became popular on the Internet and attracted many likes from netizens. Recently, she was interviewed by a reporter from China Radio’s Global Information Broadcasting.
Anxinran said that she first majored in international trade in Australia, but she liked Chinese very much, so she changed her major to Chinese. After graduating from her undergraduate degree, she decided to further her studies at Zhejiang University and pursue a master's degree in ancient literature.
Anxinran: When I first came here, I didn’t even know about the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. I really started from scratch. My tutor would organize a reading group every week or two. At that time, he was analyzing the biographies of the ministers of the Ming Dynasty. I felt that I could not understand a word. I told Mr. Xu that I couldn’t do it, but he said that you have to do it. At that time, I would be very scared every time I was about to have a reading group, but slowly I got better at translating from ancient Chinese to modern Chinese. About a year after I came here, my instructor praised me for the first time and said that your ability to read ancient literature has improved a lot. If you keep working hard, you will become a Western Sinologist in the future.
An Anran plunged headlong into the ocean of ancient Chinese literature. The more he studied, the more he felt a sense of accomplishment. She said that after graduating with a master's degree, she would continue to study for a doctoral degree and study the literature of the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties.
Anxinran: The tutor suggested that I use my native English background to query some foreign databases more easily. For example, my graduation thesis is about the transmission of high schools to the west. During the Republic of China, there was a monthly magazine called "Tianxia". It was an English-language newspaper written by Chinese intellectuals and contained rich ancient literary content. I found that "The Scholars" is very popular in the West, representing Chinese literature on the international stage, and promoting English readers' understanding of ancient Chinese literature and ancient culture. When I was studying for my Ph.D., I would also focus on scholars or officials who were sent to study in the West during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and their related diaries and records. I hope to find the most ideal state of Sino-Western exchanges through research, and also discover what ideas or thoughts exist in Chinese culture. The works can be pushed abroad to achieve a more friendly exchange.
An Anran, who loves ancient Chinese literature, is very interested in traditional Chinese costumes. When she graduated with a master's degree this year, she wore a Ming Dynasty-style Hanfu. The video became very popular after it was posted on the Internet.
Anxinran: All the comments about are saying that it is beautiful or suitable for you, or congratulations on your graduation. I feel very touched. Because I studied literature from the Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties, I was very happy to be able to graduate wearing clothes from the Ming Dynasty. The shape of the cloud shoulders of the bachelor's uniform I wore is the shape of the four-in-one wishful thinking, which contains the good wishes for a smooth life. The pattern on the chest is Danfeng Chaoyang, which means that virtuous people have a bright future. I think Chinese academic uniforms are more meaningful than Western academic uniforms.
During the holidays, Anxin Ran likes to travel around China wearing Hanfu from different eras to take photos and videos, which makes her feel integrated with the environment, as if she has traveled to ancient times.
Anxin Ran: I have worn Hanfu made in the Ming Dynasty, as well as those made in the Tang Dynasty and Song Dynasty. I wore it in Hangzhou, Beijing, and Xi’an. My favorite is when I go to Xi'an, I've been there twice. Every time I go to Xi'an, I wear Hanfu, ask professionals to do my hair, and then go to the city wall or the Evernight City of the Tang Dynasty to take pictures. The last time I went (visited) the Terracotta Warriors and Horses, I wore a set of Hanfu made in the Tang Dynasty and took a video in front of the Terracotta Warriors and Horses. I really like wearing ancient clothes to see ancient things. I think this is what I enjoy the most.
An Anran said that in addition to traditional Chinese clothing, she is also intoxicated by Chinese traditional culture and products such as tea art, porcelain, and calligraphy. She also hopes to learn calligraphy well in the future and send a calligraphy painting to her teacher to express her respect and gratitude to him.
Anxin Ran: I like Chinese celadon very much, especially Longquan celadon. My best friend is from Longquan, and her family makes Longquan celadon. All the cups and tableware in her house are made of celadon. I like Chinese calligraphy very much, and my favorite font is Thin Gold. There is an idiom called Chengmen Lixue, which means that you respect your teacher and are willing to kneel outside the door and wait for him on a snowy day. When I graduated, I really wanted to write this idiom myself and give it to my teacher to express my admiration for him.
Anxin Ran: My mother has come here twice and she likes China very much. I especially want to take her to Xi'an, because what she wants to see most is the Terracotta Warriors and Horses. I will definitely take her to see it next time I come. I want to take her to Inner Mongolia because I think she will like the culture there better. She came once in April. At that time, I wanted to take her to the photo studio to wear a cheongsam with her and take a portrait of mother and daughter, but I didn’t have time. So next time she comes, I want her to wear a cheongsam or Hanfu and have her with her. Take photos and record them together.
Anxin Ran said that she is willing to introduce Chinese traditional costumes and traditional music to Australians.
Anxin Ran: Australians may like traditional clothing and traditional Chinese music. I think Chinese traditional costumes and music are better than Japanese and Korean ones, because these cultures were spread there from China, so Chinese ones are the most authentic. Now some bloggers have begun to wear Chinese Hanfu walking on the streets of Australia. Australians will ask where the clothing is from, and they will say Chinese. They all like it.
In September this year, Anxinran will start studying for a doctorate at Zhejiang University. In the future, she hopes to stay in China and become an international disseminator of Chinese culture.
Anxin Ran: Of course, my dream is to stay and work in China. Every time I meet someone who doesn’t know China, I will tell you to come directly. I can guarantee that if you come to China once, you will like China very much. It is really good here and the people here are genuine. very good. So I may be that kind of small cultural communicator. If my friends or relatives in Australia ask me about China, I will say that China is really great.
| Pictures and videos provided by interviewees
| Editor | Sun Lingli
| Host | Huang Fu
| Production | Yang Xiaolei
| Review | An Ran
| Producer | Pan Xiaoying
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